Rangers at Indians
The Cleveland Indians struggled to score runs over the weekend and as a result fell out of first place in the American League Central. The Indians will try to bounce back and make something out of their homestand when they host the Texas Rangers in the opener of a four-game series on Monday.
Cleveland was outscored 13-2 while being swept in a three-game series at home by Minnesota over the weekend, pushing the team behind the Twins in the AL Central. "We're pretty streaky. Three days ago, we were hot," Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters. "That's why when somebody asked me, 'Hey, do you think you turned the corner?' I never say, '[Yes],' because it's fluid and it's continuing. Now, we'll play again tomorrow and we better be ready, because Texas looks like they're really starting to swing it." The Rangers swung it pretty well in taking two of three at the New York Yankees over the weekend, piling up 15 runs in wins on Saturday and Sunday. Texas will try to keep it going behind ace Cole Hamels, who will be activated off the disabled list on Monday to face off against Cleveland righty Carlos Carrasco.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Southwest (Texas), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (2-0, 3.03 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (8-3, 2.99)
Hamels has been out since April 26 with a strained oblique but went 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in two rehab starts and is ready to go. "It's the longest that I've been on the disabled list, the longest I've missed time during a season," Hamels told reporters. "At the same time, I've played the game. I've got a lot of innings. I've played against the teams numerous times. For me, it's just get back out there and get the feel and get back in the rhythm of actually getting to participate and help this team win." Hamels started against Cleveland on April 5 and did not factor in the decision while allowing four runs - three earned - in six innings.
Carrasco is on a roll with wins in three straight starts and struck out 10 without walking a batter in six scoreless innings at Baltimore on Wednesday. The Venezuela native surrendered a total of three runs in 17 2/3 over those three outings. Carrasco struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and yielded two runs on four hits to earn a win at Texas on April 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 1B Mike Napoli is 3-for-23 over his last eight games, dropping his batting average to .192.
2. Cleveland opened the season with a three-game sweep at Texas.
3. Rangers OF Nomar Mazara (forearm) and INF Joey Gallo (hamstring) are both day-to-day.